The Legal Aid Society is calling on lawmakers to enact critical legislation within the first 90 days of 2025 to strengthen protections for low-income women and children, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, tenants, and workers.

New York State must take decisive steps to protect vulnerable populations that have already been declared targets during campaign speeches and through the words, deeds, and positions of current nominees for cabinet and federal appointments and simultaneously carry forth the ongoing agenda of making New York families and our communities stronger.

“By prioritizing legislation that protects vulnerable New Yorkers — including low-income women and children, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, tenants, and workers — lawmakers will equip New York to meet the challenges of the incoming administration with the urgency this moment demands,” said Twyla Carter, Attorney-In-Chief and Chief Executive Officer at Legal Aid.

Some of these pressing measures include:

• New York for All Act which would prohibit local law enforcement across the state from colluding with ICE.  

• Coverage4All Act which would seek federal funding to cover 150,000 income-eligible immigrants in the Essential Plan. It would also save over $400 million in State Emergency Medicaid. 

• Housing Access Voucher Program which creates a state-wide Section 8 program which allows localities to extend benefits regardless of immigration status. The Governor’s Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) recommends a similar program.
   
• Temporary Disability Insurance and Paid Leave bill which increases the number of benefits available to people with temporary disabilities, provides job protection, and expands protections under the existing paid family leave program regardless of immigration status.